Chris McNabb charged with his infant daughter's murder

COVINGTON, GA - Chris McNabb, father of 2-week-old Caliyah McNabb, the baby found dead by a search party in the woods on Sunday near Covington, has been charged with her murder.

Newton County authorities on Wednesday confirmed four charges against McNabb: Malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and concealing a death. McNabb, who was already being held in the Newton County Jail on an unrelated probation violation charge out of Newton County, remains in custody without bond. His first appearance before a judge is scheduled for Thursday.

After little Cailyah's body was located, a forensic examination was able to determine that she died from blunt force trauma to the head.

According to the warrant, McNabb, "did strike the victim ... with an unknown object. This action did cause the victim's skull to be seriously disfigured and damaged beyond repair."

The warrant also said McNabb wrapped his daughter's body in a t-shirt and blanket before putting her in a drawstring bag and hiding her in the woods.

The suspect did wrap the victim in a t-shirt and a blanket that came from the residence and did place her in a draw string carry bag that has been identified as Mr. McNabb's. Mr. McNabb then carried the victim to the woods and attempted to conceal her body by covering her with debris.

Little Cailyah was born premature on Sept. 23, weighing only five pounds, and was found wrapped in a blue cloth underneath a log, about a quarter mile from her home, Newton County Sheriff's Capt. Keith Crum said Sunday. She was reported missing Saturday afternoon.

Crum said McNabb remains in custody in the Newton County Jail without bond. His first appearance before a judge will be on Thursday.

McNabb and little Caliyah's mother, Courtney Bell, initially reported her missing from their home at the Eagle Point Trailer Park in Covington, Saturday morning. Her parents told police she was fine when they fed and changed her at 5 a.m. But five hours later, they said, she was gone.